Ashaiman to generate money from toilet operations

The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA) would by the close of 2014 generate GH¢ 88,320 from the operations of 17 old and 12 new public toilets; as part of its internally generated fund for development projects.

Mr Emmanuel Nartey, ASHMA Budget Officer said the Municipal Assembly’s greatest challenge is waste management and disposal.

He said the Assembly spends a huge part of its budgetary allocation on waste collection and disposal, which could have been used for other development projects.

Mr Nartey made this known on Thursday during the Second Social Public Expenditure and Accountability (SPEFA) Forum in Ashaiman, in Greater Accra Region.

The Forum was organised by ASHMA in collaboration with the People’s Dialogue on Human Settlement, a community-based non-governmental organisation established in 2003.

The SPEFA project seeks to improve citizen’s perception of urban management and increase their engagement in the development process.

It also aims at increasing citizen’s participation in development decision making in Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies including the ASHMA.

The SPEFA project is the third component of the Local Government Capacity Support Project, which is been facilitated by Centre for the Development of People with three key state institutions listed as: The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ministry of Finance and Local Government Service Secretariat.

Mr Nartey observed that the Assembly is now operating the Activity Based Budget System, which had made operations much easier than before.

He said the total revenue mobilisation of the Assembly consists of the internally generated fund, District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), Government of Ghana salaries and other grants.

He said the Assembly had received DACF for the third and fourth quarters of 2013, but is waiting for the first quarter of 2014, to enable it carry on with its developmental agenda.

Mrs Sarah Naa Dedei Agbey, SNV Ghana (Dutch NGO) Project Manager said the nation’s developmental agenda hinges on social accountability.

She urged Ghanaians to take advantage of SPEFA forums to educate themselves on on-going developmental activities in their Assemblies.

Mr Kojo Anane Frimpong, People’s Dialogue and Human Settlement Project and Community Liaison Officer said SPEFA is a key element of good governance at the local level.

He said SPEFA ensures that there is development and improved service delivery in the Municipal and Metropolitan areas.

The day’s Forum was attended by donor agencies, civil society organisations, assembly members, and the public.